7386

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7386
• Author: National Park Service.
• Title: Resource/Boundary Evaluation for Lands Adjacent to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument, Colorado.
• USFW Year: 1990.
• USFW - Doc Type: Washington, D.C.
• Copyright Material: NO

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND COORDINATION

GENERAL OVERVIEW

During January 1989, the NPS prepared and completed a review of the draft task directive
for conducting this study. The BlM assisted the NPS in formulating and reviewing the
task directive, which was approved in February 1989.

During the week of January 23, 1989, public meetings were conducted in Fruita,
Montrose, Grand Junction, Delta, and Glade Park, Colorado, to explain the study process
and hear public comments and concerns relative to the project and study area. In
preparation for these meetings, over 1 ,400 brochures were distributed to potentially
interested individuals, special interest groups and various Federal, State and local
Agencies. News releases were distributed to over 200 public media outlets. The BlM
also assisted the NPS in developing a list of potentially interested individuals, special
interest groups, and other Federal, State and county Agencies by providing information
from their public involvement files.

A total of approximately 225 people attended the meetings, in which both the Black
Canyon and Colorado National Monument studies were presented.

In July 1989, the NPS also published a newsletter informing the public of the status of
the studies.

On October 6, 1989, over 700 copies of the document were distributed to those who
had expressed an interest in the study. The study documents were transmitted under
cover letter, which identified the dates for the public involvement meeting and deadline
for responding with review comments. News releases announcing the availability of the
document and scheduled public involvement meeting were also provided to various forms
of news media. These releases also identified the final date for submission of comments.

Thirty-one days following the distribution of documents, public meetings were conducted.
These included meetings in Delta, and Montrose, Colorado, on November 8, and 9
respectively. A special presentation was also made on November 9, to a local committee
appointed by Congressman Ben Nighthorse Campbell.

The primary purpose of these meetings was to explain the results of the study and
respond to public questions and concerns. A total of approximately 148 people attended
the meetings, and approximately 82 formal written responses were received as a result
of the public involvement process, which terminated on November 20, 1989.

Following the termination of the public review period, the NPS began evaluating
comments. This also involved an additional meeting with the BlM, where each comment
was reviewed and discussed and appropriate revisions incorporated into the document.

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